New Sato Sliders: Thoughts?

SoCalRC390

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I just got them from my local dealer for $170. Pricey, but they look nice. I will let you know after I receive and install.
 

Bagwell

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I guess the pricey part comes because of the aluminum frame to hold the sliders in a good spot and they dont require any fairing hole drilling which is a plus it seems like.
 

OldVet

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I'm wondering what's going to happen to the 8mm bolts are they going to take the stress in a crash. Those sliders are going to put a lot of leverage on them.
 

Formula390

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I'm wondering what's going to happen to the 8mm bolts are they going to take the stress in a crash. Those sliders are going to put a lot of leverage on them.

There's not much to wonder about. They are going to snap. Looking at that design, I would say from a mechanical engineering standpoing, they are GUARENTEED to fail. To me, the luck will be if they manage to pop the head off the bolt, as opposed to snapping the case cover with it when it fails. Or maybe the Delrin will snap where it necks down. I can't tell what the bolt looks like where it's attaching the Delrin to the bracket. Either way, that design looks like it's likely to cause more damage than it prevents. They are also mounted far too low. You want a three legged stool as it were, with the wheels being one point, and the slider being the other... With the height those sliders are at, if the bike pivots while it's sliding you could easily end up with the tank, the seat, and the slider being the two contact points instead. To prevent that, or at the very least make it much more difficult, you need that third point to be at least 6 inches higher so the vast bulk of the weight would be towards the wheels... That way if it pivots, it still levers the wheels back down toward the ground so it's sliding on the wheels (or the front and rear wheel sliders) and the frame slider. With the pivot point that low, it wouldn't take much to end up sliding on the tank... throwing sparks... and possibly abrading through the tank cover and the tank itself... still throwing sparks. It doesn't take much to envision how THAT would end up for the bike, you, the surrounding (tinder box of) area land, et cetera.

I've been going through a number of permutations for the frame slider design I'm working on, and have yet to reach a design that looks like it would survive a hard crash and not take the frame or other components out with it. You can't fault them too much for that design however... it's a damned difficult bike to fit frame sliders for (at least, if you don't want to drill the bodywork)... The more and more I examine the problem, the more I'm thinking drilling the bodywork may ultimatly end up being the only way to go to safely mount frame sliders.
 

OldVet

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There's not much to wonder about. They are going to snap. Looking at that design, I would say from a mechanical engineering standpoing, they are GUARENTEED to fail. To me, the luck will be if they manage to pop the head off the bolt, as opposed to snapping the case cover with it when it fails. Or maybe the Delrin will snap where it necks down. I can't tell what the bolt looks like where it's attaching the Delrin to the bracket. Either way, that design looks like it's likely to cause more damage than it prevents.

That's what I was thinking also.
 

big_sur

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I had some similar ones for a 690 I had and they didn't even make it to the crashing part. They were actually manufactured slightly off so they cracked my case cover where they attached. Hence, I don't buy Sato stuff anymore.
 

chxmp

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Thank all for the feedback. I'm a new rider, still looking for solutions to prevent damage during falls. I haven't seen any cage/slider solutions for this bike, which is upsetting to say the least... :mad:
 

aj@x

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Thank all for the feedback. I'm a new rider, still looking for solutions to prevent damage during falls. I haven't seen any cage/slider solutions for this bike, which is upsetting to say the least... :mad:
Currently R&G frame sliders are your best bet, i still think they are far too expensive for what they are. I also think the only way to design a near bullet proof slider is to drill the fairing and to be honest i don't see why people should have an issue with doing that since they will be on there for the life of the bike anyway. In my opinion ALL bikes should come with mounts engineered into the initial design of the motorcycle.
 

OldVet

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I don't know but I suspect the R&G sliders might bend the frame in a crash and that would be way more expensive than replacing a little plastic.
 

aj@x

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I don't know but I suspect the R&G sliders might bend the frame in a crash and that would be way more expensive than replacing a little plastic.
I share the same opinion myself. I don't think drilling the fairing and mounting sliders will devalue the bike in any way, if done in a neat fashion i'd suggest it would actually add value to a prospective buyer if it came time to sell at upgrade time. I'd like to see a design that is just two black delrin pegs sticking out, keep it simple with no logo's etc just pure quality engineering in mind. If they are decent word of mouth will sell them far greater than a company logo slapped all over the finished product.
 

Tirefriar

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Reviving this old thread want to add that R&G performed well in n my friend’s MV F3. I only saw the aftermath and repaired twisted mount bracket. The slider itself was shaved off and trash but for the most it appears to have done the job. The fairing got dashed but didn’t crack

Im looking for something a bit more effective. That something are stunt crash bars but no one makes them for RC specially.

I wonder if the Duke application would fit RC with fairings removed. I’d primarily use them on track and in practice. Any thoughts?
 

Tirefriar

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I was not keen that Sato sliders use the engine case as one of their anchor points. Looking closer at R&G application for the KTM I had reservations about the security of their mounting. R&G Sliders on the Ducati SFS come with a very sturdy bar that threads across through the frame and offers great support in case of impact.

I came across T-Rex frame sliders. I like their sturdy anchoring design plus their price was at least $60 less than R&G. https://www.t-rex-racing.com/2015-2019-KTM-RC-390-No-Cut-Frame-Sliders-p/n164-15.htm I also like their convex shape that will facilitate sliding but not digging in. Any experience with this brand/sliders?
 

Formula390

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I came across T-Rex frame sliders. I like their sturdy anchoring design plus their price was at least $60 less than R&G.

I know two people that totaled their frames BECAUSE of the T-Rex frame sliders. Without the slider, their sure panel would have taken the hit and likely even survived. I'm not convinced there are any frame sliders, not ONE, which is safe. $0.02.
 

Tirefriar

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Matt, frankly I almost wish I didn't buy an RC390 this nice! However, this was my shot at a track and practice bike so here I am. The two schools of sliders pro and anti present their cases very well. However, my experience with ZX6R and later R6 has shown for sliders to work. A lot depends on the severity of the crash but in a low side on smooth tarmac sliders will offer some protection. On the other hand, if you launch the bike into the fertile center of the track, the slider can contribute to the carnage. Not arguing or trying to change any minds, just sharing my thoughts. I do value your professional feedback
 

Formula390

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In GENERAL, sliders are great. I put them on almost all my bikes. Here's the qualifier. They should:
1: mount above the center balance point of the bike shop it doesn't flip onto the tank
2: mount to ONLY motor mount points and the slider should be attached DIRECTLY to same, not a bracket unless the bracket is also ONLY attached to motor mounts and have a solid mount. If I can wriggle out if I smacked it HARD as I could muster with a 10# sledge hammer, it's not good enough!

On the RC, the sliders are BELOW the balance point, so once the bike starts to slide it WANTS to flip onto the tail and track/upper/screen. I can't count the number of replacement tail sections, uppers, and screens I've sold to guys running sliders. Additionally any sliders that have LONG brackets (which yes most mount to the motor mounts) but the leverage is TREMENDOUS on impact. The longer the lever, the easier the bracket bends. Finally, these sliders sit RIGHT over the frame.

So.... If you have a slow lowside or parking lot tip over, yeah, that will probably survive and protect the bodywork. Probably. Other that tho.... Eeek!

You can't compare the R6 (or any other GSXZYBR sportbike which was designed with sliders in mind) because the RC just isn't a good candidate. YMMV but for me, I would NEVER run any of them on MY RC and I try to warn others against them. I HATE the calls from guys asking me if I have a spare frame. My FIRST question after that is ALWAYS "What frame sliders were you running?"
 
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El_Bard0

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I've been surprised by not only the lack of options for frame sliders but also the cost compared to other bikes. I'm tempted to follow Formula390's advice and not run any sliders although it does make me nervous in case of going down on the street.
 

Rc390girl

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Bringing this one up - simple question:
- there are tons of 50$ AliExpress options available that mount into the engine mounts - are those any good or do those tend to harm the engine
?
I am considering these or the GSG ones - and want to protect the bodywork for situations at slow turns or lots or red lights where the bike as a pure beginner tips over

I’d appreciate your help and recommendation - I’ll be a vet slow driver so a low or high sider at high speed seems rather unlikely st this point in time

Side note - I’m from Germany
 

kostean

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IF anyone misses to get rid of the engine case /frame while falling instead of repairing fairings and cosmetical damage, then these frame/engine mounted sliders are the best way to achieve that :D

Experience does come mainly from the racing track, but it is way cheaper on replacing the fairings and bend back could of aluminium supports than to have either new frame or engine cases. Fallin on these small bikes does still adhere to the laws of physics- something must absorb the impact and consequently, the fairings are the most affordable pieces to sacrifice.
 

Rc390girl

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The GSG one do have Puffer areas though which can bend a bit before it hits the frame - doesn’t that make sense ?
Thing is as a beginner a parking lot Fall is quite common at least for girls - don’t wonna buy x fairings u know ..
 
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